Police in Northern California said they arrested and charged a homeless man Friday after he knocked out an elderly man and went on to attack the local police chief and tried to steal his squad car.
Piedmont police said Willie Gomer, 42, was taken into custody on assault and assault on a police officer charges as well as carjacking and robbery offenses in connection to the wild episode that involved the city’s top cop.
Authorities said Gomer first “randomly struck” the elder from behind around 4:25 p.m. Friday inside an Ace Hardware store.
The victim fell to the ground and lost consciousness. Police said his condition is unknown.
Responding officers confronted Gomer at the store’s garden center, police said, but the suspect tried to fight with the officers.
Officers used pepper spray and Tasers, but authorities said the suspect, thought to be high on drugs, removed the Taser prongs and ran off.
Police said he broke into someone’s home and threatened the resident before he was confronted by Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers out on the street.
Chief Bowers ordered the suspect to stop, police said, but the suspect instead jumped inside the chief’s squad car and tried to speed off.
Authorities said Chief Bowers hopped in his car to stop the suspect, and that’s when the suspect assaulted the top cop.
Officers eventually swarmed the vehicle and arrested the suspect, police said.
Piedmont police said Gomer was on parole for auto theft, robbery, kidnapping and multiple other violations when he was taken back into custody.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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